章 89: I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [89] [100 PS]
Bonus Chapter!
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The contestants' waiting room was a place Okita Souji had grown familiar with; by now, she was used to the atmosphere here.
In a few minutes, her match would begin. But unlike her previous opponents, today's challenger was in a completely different league.
To be honest, the whole Seven Stars Sword Art Festival wasn't something she particularly cared about—not with the same intensity as Ikki or Stella, anyway.
What she knew of the storyline only went as far as the selection tournament. She was almost completely in the dark about the events that would unfold during the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival itself.
She did remember, though, that in the later storylines, both Ikki and Stella managed to reach the level of her sister Edelweiss and even Saikyou Nene.
Then again, maybe they didn't reach that stage until after the Festival? She really had no idea. The anime had ended way too soon—why hadn't they released more episodes while she was following it?
She also recalled that during the Seven Stars storyline, Ikki's older brother was supposed to make an appearance. His name was Kurogane Ouma, right? He was a powerhouse who crushed Stella in the original, and both Ikki and Toudou Touka had lost to him.
And there was supposed to be someone even more formidable—someone known as Edelweiss's shadow. What was his name again?
Ah, right, the "Bloody Da Vinci."
She couldn't help but imagine Da Vinci's reaction if she ever found out there was a title like that in existence. Now that would be something to see.
There were bound to be plenty of strong opponents at the Festival, but the truth was, none of them particularly piqued Okita's interest.
What she was really interested in was facing opponents like Edelweiss and Ikki—swordsmen who were genuinely dedicated to their craft.
Kuraudo had been a decent swordsman, too. Sure, his personality was questionable, but Okita had met her share of characters far worse.
In fact, most of the swordsmen she'd known in her past had been just as ruthless and brutal as Kurando, if not more.
After all, the Shinsengumi, the group she once led, was often regarded as a band of ruffians and misfits.
So now, she was more curious to see how Ikki, the protagonist, would progress, hoping to witness how he honed his blade and edged closer to Edelweiss's level.
Only…
"I wonder if Ikki will manage to awaken Ittou Rasetsu in the final round like in the original…"
Okita opened her student handbook, and one name stood out in bold letters under today's opponent list.
Toudou Touka.
"Seems like this little butterfly has flapped its wings a bit too hard," Okita murmured.
She tapped open the weather forecast—it was supposed to be clear and sunny all day.
"Not exactly the ideal weather for thunderstorms…"
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"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived!"
The roar of the crowd was thunderous, the cheers seeming to shake the very ceiling of the arena.
"The audience is on the edge of their seats, and I can barely contain my own excitement! After all, today's competitors are anything but ordinary—I bet you've all had trouble sleeping in anticipation!"
"First up, let's welcome to the stage, our very own contestant—Souji Okita!"
Okita stepped up to the stage in her school uniform, her shoulder-length cherry blossom-colored hair bouncing slightly as she walked toward the ring.
"A first-year student who has maintained an undefeated record, blazing her way through the competition. Each of her previous battles has ended in an instant, earning her the respectful nickname: Kazanami—the Flash of Silver Light, Okita Souji!"
Unlike her first match, the crowd this time was filled with fans cheering her on.
Though she was only a D-rank Blazer, and her listed ability seemed to be merely physical enhancement, her impressive performance had silenced doubters and won her admiration.
This was the norm in this world.
"Go for it, Souji!"
Amid the overlapping waves of cheers, Okita recognized a few familiar voices.
Looking into the stands, she spotted Ikki, Ayase, Stella, Shizuku, and Alice.
No one had a voice as loud as Stella's, that much was certain.
"You all really…"
Without meaning to, Okita's lips curved into a resigned yet warm smile.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then reopened them, her gaze sharpening as she turned her focus to the figure across from her.
With her chestnut-brown hair tied into two large braids, Touka Toudou had a somewhat plain, even old-fashioned look—particularly with her usual large, round glasses that gave off the impression of a quiet, bookish girl.
In typical Japanese storytelling fashion, though, characters like these often had an unexpected transformation. In battle, Touka took off her glasses, and although her braids remained, her entire demeanor shifted dramatically.
Most of what Okita knew about the Seven Stars storyline came from the anime, but her knowledge of the later events largely came from fan fiction.
If she remembered correctly, one popular fan novel she'd read had even cast Touka Toudou as the female lead.
"And facing her! Our very own Student Council President, ranked first in the academy! Known for her unparalleled speed, her enemies flee; known for her overwhelming power, they fall."
"Last year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival semi-finalist, undefeated so far this year—the one and only Raikiri, Touka Toudou!"
"The golden lightning meets the silver flash—who will come out on top?"
As Touka stepped into the ring, her entire body crackled with golden lightning, giving her the aura of a thunder goddess. The crowd's excitement, already at a fever pitch, soared to new heights.
It was said that intense electric discharges produce nitric oxide and ozone, which then combine with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide—a substance with a sharp odor.
As Touka, wreathed in golden lightning, approached, Okita thought she caught a whiff of that unpleasant scent… Was that the smell of nitrogen dioxide?
Still… it was pretty cool.
Watching Touka's golden lightning bolts crackle and flicker, Okita couldn't help but admire the spectacle.
That golden light reminded her of a creature from a game she'd played as a child, a creature called Raikou.
Raikou might not have been the strongest creature in the game, but he was definitely the coolest. Even now, she still thought so.
If the lightning had been blue-white instead of golden… her first thought would have been Misaka Mikoto from A Certain Scientific Railgun.
Come to think of it, did Fate/Grand Order have any Servants with lightning-based abilities? If she ever got her hands on such a Spirit Origin, maybe she could play around with thunder and lightning herself.
Er… maybe not Tesla, though. No offense, but he's got neither the style nor the looks.
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